Method and device for manufacturing advanced water containing ultra-fine gold particles

ABSTRACT

Produce high-function water useful for consumption as healthy drinking water or in the production of health supplements, cosmetic products, food preservatives, freshness-keeping agents for food, insect repellents or deodorizers, wherein such water contains micro-dispersed ultra-fine gold particles and a small amount of dissolved gold and is produced by constructing in the upper section of a high-pressure water tank a combustion chamber equipped with an injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas, an ignition device and a gold-rod or gold-wire feeder, igniting the injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas using the ignition device in the combustion chamber to melt and evaporate the gold rod or wire supplied from the feeder or water in which gold foil was dispersed beforehand and to allow the produced gold vapor to contact high-pressure water, and thereby causing the produced ultra-fine gold particles to float and disperse in water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producinghigh-function water in which ultra-fine gold particles are suspended,and also to high-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles asproduced using the method and apparatus.

[0002] The invention also relates to various applications ofhigh-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Since ancient times, gold had been held in a high position as themost valuable precious metal and used mainly in the manufacture ofornaments and other objects that were considered treasures. In recentyears, a recognition of the health-promoting benefits of gold promptedproduction of healthy bracelets made of pure gold, sake wines containinggold foils, and so on. However, these “health” products failed to provesufficient efficacies on human health beyond their luxury image derivedfrom the use of expensive 24K gold. These days, the healthful benefitsof gold are again drawing the attention of today's health-consciousconsumers, and it is now known that gold exhibits its health-promotingfunctions more prominently in the forms of gold ions and fine goldparticles than in solid or foil form.

[0004] There are keen interests in the potential health-promotingfunctions and healing effects of gold ions and fine gold particles. Goldis now known to have significant health benefits (“Gold Water” CuredIntractable Diseases the Doctors Gave Up Treating, written by TonpuTakada), and the public is awaiting further technological advance inthis field. In the use of gold ions and fine gold particles in a watersolution or aqueous dispersion, however, several issues must beaddressed before these applications can be put to practical use.

[0005] As described above, waters containing gold in some form arewidely known (see p. 64 of the aforementioned book). However, a majorityof these products have either gold foil or gold powder simply dispersedin water. Since the methods to melt gold itself have been limited tothose using aqua regia or a gold electrolyte, it has been extremelydifficult to dissolve gold ions or fine gold particles in water.

[0006] Efforts have been underway to develop new technologies that willsolve these problems and embody the potential health-promoting functionsand healing effects of gold ions and fine gold particles. However, onlya limited number of technologies relating to this field are disclosed inthe Publication of Unexamined Patent Application, which is considered ayardstick for the progress of technological development. This suggeststhat the need for new technology regarding the application of gold ionsand fine gold particles is still very high.

[0007] The published technologies include: the technology to mix withpolyolefin molding resin an inorganic antibacterial agent formulated byfixing gold ions or other ions that have an antibacterial property to azeolite ion-exchange group, in order to provide an antibacterialbeverage tank that is resistant to saprophytic bacteria eluting from thetank material such as polyethylene and thereby prevents the negativeeffects of dissolved chemicals to preserve the taste and flavor of thedrink (Registered Japanese Utility Model No. 3046284); the technology toretain mineral carriers in water and stimulate them by adding acid orconducting electrolysis to release minerals into water, in order toprovide mineral water containing gold ions and other minerals beneficialto the human body (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-220580);the technology to dissolve gold or other heavy metal into an acid ionwater of pH 2.6 to 4.5 or oxidation potential water of pH 2.7 or below,both of which are produced in an electrolytic water purifier, in orderto produce low-cost antiseptic water offering excellent sterilizingeffect (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-10772); and thetechnology to uniformly mix gold foil or other additive with crushed icegranules, pack an ice-making container with the mixture of additive andice granules, and then gradually introduce water from the bottom of thecontainer to form ice, in order to produce blocks of healthy ice inwhich gold foil or other additive is distributed evenly (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open No. 5-280841).

[0008] However, except for the technology to retain mineral carriers inwater and stimulate them by adding acid or conducting electrolysis torelease minerals into water, in order to provide mineral watercontaining gold ions and other minerals beneficial to the human body(Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-10772), which is generatingan interest, these published technologies are far from solving theaforementioned problems, and essentially they are not capable ofproviding solutions.

[0009] Application of the activity of gold ions and ultra-fine goldparticles to the production of bioactive materials, health foods,medicines, etc., provides an important area where technological advancemust be sought, since the results will directly affect our daily life.As use of gold ions and ultra-fine gold particles is expected to grow,the public eagerly awaits further development of applicationtechnologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] As explained above, gold ions and ultra-fine gold particles havea high potential in terms of embodying health-promoting functions andhealing effects, and there are demands for further technological advancein this field. The basic form of application is considered a watersolution or aqueous dispersion containing gold ions or ultra-fine goldparticles. However, several issues must be addressed before thesesolutions and dispersions can be put to practical use. For example, itis difficult to dissolve gold ions and fine gold particles in water.Traditionally the producers have simply mixed gold foil or gold powderinto water or achieved dissolution using a gold electrolyte. However,such methods require high production costs and are therefore noteconomically viable, and the obtained products did not exhibitsufficient health-promoting functions. Potentially damaging effects ofchemical electrolyte on human health have not been verified, either.These are among the technical problems that need to be resolved.

[0011] While there are significant demands for technological developmentin the application of gold ions and ultra-fine gold particles tobioactive materials, health foods, medicines, etc., the specifictechnologies available today have not reached a satisfactory level.

[0012] Therefore, the inventors have carried out extensive studies inorder to identify ways of producing high-function water containingultra-fine gold particles and offering high bioactivity, under theassumption that providing drinkable water containing gold ions orultra-fine gold particles will allow consumers to improve their healthand heal various conditions in a very simple manner by utilizing thehealth-promoting functions of gold ions and ultra-fine gold particles.As a result, the inventors have found that water containing gold ions orultra-fine gold particles produced using the method and apparatusexplained later has significant benefits on our health, and therebydeveloped the present invention.

[0013] In other words, the present invention provides a method forproducing high-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles,being characterized by a construction in the upper section of ahigh-pressure water tank of a combustion chamber equipped with aninjector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas and an ignition device,wherein the injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas is ignitedby the ignition device to melt and evaporate the material gold and allowthe produced gold vapor to contact high-pressure water, and therebycausing the produced ultra-fine gold particles to float and suspend inwater.

[0014] The high-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles asobtained in this method is a ultra-micro-dispersion of ultra-fine goldparticles in water where a small amount of gold is also dissolved inwater, as shown in the analysis certificates provided in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0015] The present invention also provides an apparatus for producinghigh-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles, beingcharacterized by its construction-a high-pressure water tank which is apressure-resistant container having a combustion chamber inside that isequipped with an injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas, anignition device, and a gold-rod or gold-wire feeder.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus forproducing high-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles,wherein the apparatus is equipped with a water electrolyzer forproduction of oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas as an adjunct facility, inaddition to the components describe above. The invention aims to utilizethe high-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles obtainedthrough the aforementioned method or apparatus.

[0017] The high-function water obtained by the present invention offersvery high utility in the production of healthy drinking waters, cosmeticproducts, food preservatives, freshness-keeping agents for food, insectrepellents, deodorizers, etc.

[0018] Material gold used in the method and apparatus provided by thepresent invention may be fed in rod or wire form sequentially from agold-rod or gold-wire feeder being equipped inside the high-pressurewater tank, or gold foil may be dispersed in the water stored in thehigh-pressure water tank.

[0019] While the present invention can use gold rod or wire or gold foilas material, use of gold rod or wire being fed from the aforementionedgold feeder yields a higher productivity of high-function water comparedwith when gold foil is dispersed in water beforehand. One reason for alower productivity associated with the pre-dispersion of gold foil inwater is that the flame from the injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogenmixture gas cannot act upon the gold foil suspended in high-pressurewater and therefore sufficient thermal energy cannot be transferred tothe gold foil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1: Flow chart illustrating a process overview of the presentinvention

[0021]FIG. 2: Schematic drawing of an apparatus for producing watercontaining ultra-fine gold particles as provided by the presentinvention

[0022]FIG. 3: Analysis result of water obtained from gold foil anddistilled water

[0023]FIG. 4: Analysis result of water obtained from gold foil and tapwater

[0024]FIG. 5: Analysis result of water obtained from gold rod anddistilled water

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

[0025]1: Production apparatus for suspension of ultra-fine goldparticles in water

[0026]2: High-pressure tank

[0027]3: Pressurized water

[0028]4: Suspended ultra-fine gold particles

[0029]5: Injector nozzle

[0030]6: Combustion gas

[0031]7: Combustion chamber

[0032]8: Water inlet

[0033]9: Hydrogen supply channel

[0034]10: Oxygen supply channel

[0035]11: Agitator

[0036]12: Ignition device

[0037]13: Pump

[0038]14: Filter device

[0039]15: Product

[0040]16: Water electrolyzer

[0041]17: Electrolytic container

[0042]18: Water

[0043]19: Electrode plate

[0044]20: Power supply

[0045]21: Gold rod or wire

[0046]22: Feeder

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0047] The present invention is characterized by the production of adispersion of ultra-fine gold particles of sub-micron order in waterthat are smaller than normal fine gold particles, and the utilization ofthe dispersion water thus produced. The obtained water offers notablyhigher functions including health-promotion functions, and its physicalproperties ensure safety for human consumption just like normal water.

[0048] The high-function water obtained by the present invention can beconsumed directly as healthy drinking water or may be used as the mainingredient or secondary ingredient in the production of healthsupplements, cosmetic products, food preservatives, freshness-keepingagents for food, insect repellents, deodorizers, etc.

[0049] The construction of the present invention is explained using thedrawings.

[0050] The present invention provides a method for producinghigh-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles, wherein thewater is produced by a high-pressure water tank having a combustionchamber inside that is equipped with an injector nozzle foroxygen-hydrogen mixture gas, an ignition device, and a gold-rod orgold-wire feeder. The injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas isignited by the ignition device in the combustion chamber to melt andevaporate the gold rod or wire fed from the gold-rod or gold-wire feederand allow the produced gold vapor or droplets to contact high-pressurewater, thereby causing the produced ultra-fine gold particles to floatand suspend in water. FIG. 1 gives an overview of this process.

[0051] The present invention also involves the development of anapparatus that embodies the aforementioned method for producinghigh-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles. FIG. 2illustrates this production apparatus.

[0052] The basic production method provided by the present invention isto introduce water into a pressure tank and pressurize it to a highpressure level, inject a hydrogen-oxygen mixture gas from the injectornozzle into the combustion chamber provided inside the pressure tank tocompletely burn the mixture gas, and then instantly melt and evaporatethe supplied gold rod or wire fed in the fully burned vapor gas ofultrahigh temperature obtained above, thereby allowing the produced goldvapor or droplets to contact and suspend in high-pressure water. Throughthis process extremely fine gold particles of micron scale are producedand micro-dispersed in water. Use of a hydrogen-oxygen mixture gasyields the most efficient and stable combustion inside the combustionchamber, and high pressure is needed to ensure stable combustion.

[0053] The present invention also allows use of a gold dispersion inwhich gold foil is dispersed beforehand, instead of feeding materialgold in rod or wire form as explained above.

[0054] An oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas (mixed at a ratio of 1:2) used inthe aforementioned production method or apparatus produces ahigh-temperature combustion gas. It is considered that gold rod or wire(melting point: 1064° C., boiling point: 2800° C.) instantly melts andevaporates in this combustion gas and enters water to become ultra-finegold particles.

[0055] The produced suspension of ultra-fine gold particles in water maybe used directly without filtering. Depending on the application, thiswater can also be filtered using a filter material, etc., to remove atrace amount of fine gold particles that are larger than ultra-fineparticles of micron scale, in order to provide water in which onlyultra-fine gold particles are suspended. In addition, the water alsocontains a small amount of gold in a dissolved state, as explained aboveand evidenced in the analysis results in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0056] Small pieces of gold and fine gold particles that are trapped bythe filter can be recovered via backwash and reused as material, asappropriate, for improved economy.

[0057] In the production method provided by the present invention, theamounts of hydrogen and oxygen gases must be strictly controlled tomaintain a ratio of two to one. The reaction time and the amount of fuel(mixture gas) to be burned must also be controlled. An insufficientreaction time does not produce a dispersion having the expected healthbenefits, while an excessive reaction time reduces the tastiness of thewater.

[0058] The apparatus for producing healthy water containing ultra-finegold particles shown in FIG. 2 is an apparatus (1) that produces asuspension of ultra-fine gold particles in water and consists of ahigh-pressure tank (2), an injector nozzle (5) for oxygen-hydrogenmixture gas (6) and a combustion chamber (7). As adjunct facilities, awater electrolyzer (16) to supply the material hydrogen-oxygen mixturegas and a filter device (14) to filter the obtained dispersion areinstalled.

[0059] The production container used in the present invention is apressure-resistant tank (high-pressure tank, 2) made of metal, orpreferably steel, into which pressurized water (3) is supplied from aninlet (8). The container is also equipped with a feeder (22) forsupplying material gold rod or wire (21), which introduces a specifiedamount of gold into the flame (6) at the nozzle. The combustion chamber(6) is provided near the injection nozzle (5) for the hydrogen-oxygenmixture gas (6) supplied through a hydrogen supply channel (9) andoxygen supply channel (10), and the mixture gas is ignited with anignition device (12) and burned completely. The material gold instantlymelts and evaporates in this fully burned vapor gas of ultrahightemperature, and then enters water, thereby producing a dispersion ofultra-fine gold particles.

[0060] The obtained water, which contains dispersed ultra-fine goldparticles and a small amount of dissolved gold, may be used directly, orchanneled through a filter housing (filter device, 14) with a pump (13)to be output as product (15). As for the type of filter, hollow-fibermembrane of micron order is preferred to ion-exchange membrane orreverse-osmosis membrane, since hollow-fiber membrane can effectivelylet pass only ultra-fine particles.

[0061] As for the production scale contemplated by the presentinvention, to produce one ton of dispersion the apparatus should beoperated for around two hours at a mixture-gas injection rate ofapproximately 5 liters per second. Applying too high a gas pressure maydamage the apparatus structure, while an insufficient gas pressurecannot achieve sufficient heat generation and therefore the heatedmaterial gold will not become fragmented to sufficiently small pieces.In such a case, water containing ultra-fine gold particles cannot beproduced efficiently, since large pieces of gold drop directly intowater. A preferred mixture-gas pressure is approximately 3.5atmospheres. Water should be compressed to approximately 2 atmospheresin the pressure tank.

[0062] In the apparatus provided by the present invention, material-gascylinders may be used instead of a water electrolyzer (16) to supply thefuel, i.e., oxygen and hydrogen. However, hydrogen and oxygen producedvia water electrolysis are pure, so use of a water electrolyzer shouldfacilitate the supply of material hydrogen and oxygen.

[0063] The water electrolyzer (16) may be a commercial unit consistingof a container (17) in which water (18) and electrode plates (19) areplaced. The electrodes are connected to a power supply (20).

[0064] Acid or alkali material water is hydrolyzed to generate oxygengas at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode. These gases are thenfed as material gases for combustion.

[0065] In this apparatus, installation of a filter housing (14) isrecommended if dispersed ultra-fine gold particles or undispersedultra-fine gold particles in water must be removed. Depending on theapplication, the water produced by this apparatus may be filtered usinga filter material, etc., to remove fine gold particles larger thanultra-fine particles, so that water in which only ultra-fine particlesare suspended can be obtained. The fine gold particles trapped by thefilter may be recovered and reused as material for improved economy.

[0066] The water containing a small amount of dissolved gold anddispersed ultra-fine gold particles, as produced by the aforementionedmethod and apparatus, may be consumed directly.

[0067] The recovered water can be refined simply by installing a filterhousing (14) in which hollow-fiber membranes of micron order are set andby filtering/removing fine gold particles not required in the intendedhigh-function water. As an example of filter application using ahollow-fiber membrane filter, hollow-fiber membranes of 50 microns, 25microns, 3 microns, 0.5 micron and 0.1 micron can be set in this orderat a position where the produced water is released from the reactiontank, in order to sequentially filter the water. This way, drinkingwater meeting the food sanitation standards will be obtained.

[0068] The high-function water obtained by the present invention may beused as healthy drinking water or an ingredient of health supplements,cosmetic products, food preservatives, freshness-keeping agents forfood, insect repellents, deodorizers, etc., as explained earlier.

[0069] Samples of high-function water obtained by the present inventionwere sent to a third-party laboratory (Japan Food Research Laboratories)for analysis (IPC emission spectrochemical analysis). The results (Aucontents) are shown in the figures.

[0070]FIG. 3 shows the analysis result in Au content of water producedby dispersing gold foil in pressurized, distilled water, while FIG. 4shows the analysis result of water produced in the same manner exceptthat tap water (in Kyoto City) was used instead of distilled water.

[0071]FIG. 5 shows the analysis result of water produced by burning goldrod in pressurized, distilled water.

[0072] The respective analysis results are as follows: Au content whendistilled water is used (material: gold foil) 2.9 mg/L Au content whentap water is used (material: gold foil) 1.5 mg/L Au content whendistilled water is used (material: gold rod) 22.0 mg/L

[0073] It is assumed with confidence that the high-function water inwhich gold is dissolved and ultra-fine gold particles aremicro-dispersed will make groundbreaking drinking water that can answerthe needs of today's health-conscious consumers. Although the mechanismof healthful benefits and specific details of bioactivation effectsexpected of the suspension of ultra-fine gold particles in water arestill unknown at the present, the test subjects who were given a sampleof this water reported a notable improvement in their physical conditionand marked reduction of fatigue, as explained later. These resultsconfirm the actual efficacy of the water. It is considered that theion-emission effect of ultra-fine gold particles, very large active areaof the ultra-fine particles, unique characteristics of gold as aprecious metal, and chemical/physical stability of gold, are allcombined to produce bioactivation effects in our body such as improvedstabilization and promotion of intestinal absorption.

[0074] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in thefollowing example using the drawings. However, the invention is notlimited to the example provided.

EXAMPLE

[0075] The apparatus (1) shown in FIG. 2 consists of a high-pressuretank (2), an injector nozzle (5) for hydrogen-oxygen mixture gas (6) anda mixture-gas combustion chamber (7), and represents an overallembodiment of the method for producing a suspension of ultra-fine goldparticles in water.

[0076] As adjunct facilities, a water electrolyzer (16) to supply fuel,i.e., hydrogen-oxygen mixture gas and a filter device (15) to refine theobtained suspension water are installed.

[0077] The specific operation of the present invention is explainedbelow. The production container should be a pressure-resistant tank(high-pressure tank, 2) made of metal, or preferably steel, into whichpressurized water (3) is supplied from an inlet (8). Material gold (21)is supplied in rod or wire form from a feeder (22). A combustion chamber(7) is provided near the injection nozzle (5) for the hydrogen-oxygenmixture gas (6) supplied through a hydrogen supply channel (9) andoxygen supply channel (10), and the mixture gas is ignited with anignition device (12) and burned completely. The material gold instantlymelts and evaporates in this fully burned vapor gas of ultrahightemperature, and then enters the pressurized water (3), therebyproducing a suspension of ultra-fine gold particles (4) in water. Thisultra-fine gold particle dispersion is then channeled through a filterhousing (14) via a pump (13), if necessary, and then output as product(15).

[0078] If gold foil is used as the material, the aforementioned gold-rodor gold-wire feeder (22) may be omitted.

[0079] The operating conditions are summarized below: Pressurized water:1 ton Pressure: 2 kg/m² Oxygen-hydrogen mixture gas (mixed at a ratio of1:2): 5 L/sec, 3.5 atmospheres Injection time: 2 hours Feed amount ofgold wire: 50 g Produced suspension water: Approx. 1 ton

[0080] The produced suspension water was filtered through hollow-fibermembranes of 50 microns, 25 microns, 3 microns, 0.5 micron and 0.1micron set in this order, in order to obtain high-function water inwhich ultra-fine gold particles are suspended.

[0081] Field Test of High-Function Water

[0082] A total of 10 adult subjects comprising males and females wereasked to drink high-function water in which ultra-fine gold particlesare suspended, in order to verify the efficacies and benefits of thewater in promoting health and healing diseases. Details are given below.

[0083] Amounts and Conditions of Water Amount consumed per day: Around 1glass 5 persons Up to 3 glasses 2 persons 4 glasses or more 3 personsTaste: Tasty 9 persons Tasteless 1 person Smell: Not noticeable 9persons Noticeable 1 person

[0084] Efficacy Verification Standards Effective on 5 out of 10 persons:⊚ Effective on 3 out of 10 persons: ◯ Effective on 1 out of 10 persons:Δ Not effective on anyone: X Comparison water: A mixture of water withgold foil and fine gold particles with an average particle size of 1 mm(10 mg of gold per 10 cc of water) produced via prior art = Thecomparison water was given to a different sample comprising 10 adults.

[0085] Table 1 shows the field test results of the water produced by thepresent invention and the comparison water. TABLE 1 Water produced byItem the present invention Comparison water Improvement of physical ⊚ Δcondition Reduction of fatigue ⊚ Δ Increase in appetite ◯ XNormalization of digestive ⊚ Δ function Lowering of blood pressure ⊚ XHealing of gastric ◯ X inflammation Reduction of eye fatigue ◯ X

[0086] A majority of subjects found the water produced by the presentinvention easy to drink in terms of taste and smell. The results shownin Table 1 also reveal the remarkable effects of the water in improvingphysical condition, increasing appetite and promoting general health.

[0087] Industrial Field of Application

[0088] As explained above, the present invention provides a new methodand apparatus for producing a dispersion of ultra-fine gold particles,as well as high-function water utilizing the newly obtained suspensionof ultra-fine gold particles in water. It allows for the production of asuspension of ultra-fine gold particles in water in a simple,inexpensive manner. If the obtained dispersion of ultra-fine goldparticles is used as drinking water, such drinking water should offerremarkable health-promoting functions, such as improvement of physicalcondition and increase in appetite, by utilizing the bioactivationeffects of ultra-fine gold particles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing high-function watercontaining ultra-fine gold particles, which comprises: preparing acombustion chamber equipped with an injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogenmixture gas, an ignition device and a gold-rod or gold-wire feederinside a high-pressure water tank; igniting said injector nozzle foroxygen-hydrogen mixture gas by the ignition device in said combustionchamber; melting and evaporating gold as a material and allowing theresultant gold vapor to contact high-pressure water; and causing theresultant ultra-fine gold particles to float and disperse in water. 2.The method for producing high-function water containing ultra-fine goldparticles as described in claim 1, wherein said gold as a material isgold rod, wire or foil.
 3. An apparatus for producing high-functionwater containing ultra-fine gold particles, which comprises a combustionchamber equipped with an injector nozzle for oxygen-hydrogen mixturegas, an ignition device and a gold-rod or gold-wire feeder in the uppersection of a high-pressure water tank.
 4. The apparatus for producinghigh-function water containing ultra-fine gold particles as described inclaim 3, further comprising a water electrolyzer for producing anoxygen-hydrogen mixture gas.
 5. High-function water containingultra-fine gold particles produced under the method described in claim 1or 2 or using the apparatus described in claim 3 or
 4. 6. High-functionwater containing ultra-fine gold particles as described in claim 6,being used as healthy drinking water, health supplement, cosmeticproduct, food preservative, freshness-keeping agent for food, insectrepellent or deodorizer.